Community Early Learning Australia (CELA) and Community Childcare Association (CCC) have created a Federal Budget plan to ensure every child can benefit from high quality education and care, no matter where they live or how much their parents earn.
The context
The Federal Government has set out an ambitious reform agenda for education as the great equaliser and the foundation for Australia’s economic success.
To achieve this vision, our sector needs support for:
- a stronger community sector
- professional wages and recognition for early educators and teachers
- more inclusive and accessible early education and care.
Key takeaways
Our Pre-Budget submission outlines how the Federal Government can achieve its vision for early education in the 2024 Budget. This includes:
- a government funded 25% pay increase to educators and teachers through multi-employer bargaining
- critical capital and operational funding to create new small and community managed services where they are needed most
- ensuring all children can access quality early education and care
- funding inclusion support services that reflect what’s actually needed by children and families.
What this means for our members
Our mission is to ensure every child can benefit from high quality education and care, regardless of where they live or how much their parents earn. CELA has led the way, advocating for a sector that is ready for the future with universal access, professional wages and a stronger community sector.
We know small and community managed providers will be central to delivering the full benefits of the Federal Government’s early education reforms for children and families. That’s why we are helping our member services to be ready for the new multi-employer agreement and outcomes from the Federal Budget.
What’s next?
We are working hard to raise your issues with decision makers in the lead up to the 2024 Federal Budget, particularly on strengthening support for our workforce, supply side funding, inclusion and expanding community-led services.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure major reforms and we aren’t going to miss this moment.
READ OUR SUBMISSION